Does Love Hurt? Loving A Partner With Borderline Personality Disorder

Recently I wrote an article on Borderline Personality Disorder, a common condition I see in my office. It primarily impacts relationships. Do refer to the previous article on BPD to know the basics before reading this one.

If you have a close friend or family member suffering from BPD, you already know that BPD not only affects those with the diagnosis—it affects everyone who cares about them. Caring about someone with borderline personality disorder (BPD) tosses you on a roller coaster ride from being loved and lauded to being abandoned and bashed.

Nothing is gray or gradual. For people with BPD, things are black and white. They fluctuate dramatically between idealizing and devaluing you and may suddenly and sporadically shift throughout the day. BPD relationships of any kind are intense, chaotic, and full of conflict, but this is especially true for intimate relationships.